The NASA Office of Advanced Concepts and Technology (OACT) Telescope Technology Program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has a goal of demonstrating technology for lightweight, lower cost telescope systems for future NASA missions and commercial applications. In fiscal year 1994, the emphasis is on low temperature infrared (IR) telescope systems and integrated ultralight optical systems.
In the area of low temperature IR telescope systems, the plan is to initiate development of a " low temperature IR telescope testbed" which includes a 1.0 meter class lightweight primary mirror and mounts, a lightweight metering structure and a secondary mirror. Many of the emerging NASA Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) baseline mission concepts and requirements will be used to define the testbed. The telescope technology team is working closely with the SIRTF Project Technologist in this regard. Industry will supply the testbed via a competative procurement process. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) issued a request for proposals (RFP No. G07-3281-809) on June 9, 1994. The proposal due date is July 15, 1994 at 3:00 p.m. P.D.T. The current plan is to request industry to propose against a set of performance specifications and goals rather than against an explicit design. The desire is for industry to present their best, most innovative ideas. Proposals based on a variety of designs and materials including silicon carbide, beryllium, aluminum, glass, composites, etc. are anticipated. A winner will be selected based on a carefully developed set of evaluation criteria. These criteria will include not only the usual programmatic, technical and cost performance considerations but also factors which emphasize the OACT mission such as technology development content, innovation, commercial applications, etc. When the testbed is completed it will be tested at JPL to approximately 5.5 degrees Kelvin. A low cost test facility is under development to support these tests and is expected to be ready for use in early 1995.
In addition to the testbed and test facility development, a mirror materials evaluation effort on 0.5 meter diameter mirrors in underway at the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC). There are also several small efforts in materials testing and straylight model building in progress. The data will be used to develop and validate design rules and manufacturing processes for advanced optical materials.
In the area of integrated ultralight optical systems, the plans are to develop and demonstrate a miniature integrated instrument testbed based on silicon carbide optics and structures. Design and analysis is being performed utilizing integrated modeling tools developed previously by OACT. The testbed is being developed by a small business and will be tested at JPL. Additional materials tests are planned to evaluate the cryomechanical and fracture properties of silicon carbide and bonded silicon carbide joints. The data will be used to reduce future costs and enhance commercial potential of silicon carbide by validating the structural design models currently in use.
Finally, there is a very small effort continuing in the area of precision composite mirrors. This is largely being pursued with Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts and other similar vehicles. The plan is to continue to develop parabolic reflectors for applications including the NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) and the Submillimeter Intermediate Mission/Far Infrared and Submillimeter Space Telescope (SMIM/FIRST). The EOS Project recently decided to use this technology for the EOS MLS.
For more information contact
dan@danmac.jpl.nasa.govUpdates: Links to Mission Acronyms added 8/1/94. Information of the dates for the RFP was added 6/15/94.